FULL ITINERARY
DAY ZERO MON 15 JUL | ARRIVAL
Arrive into Nice and settle into your hotel. Meet your guide and make sure bikes are ready to ride next day.
DAY ONE TUE 16 JUL | COL DE LA MADONE LOOP
Great loop of the hills inland from the Cote d'Azur. The route climbs away from the coast at the get-go, culminating at the Col de Braus. Great descent almost to the Mediterranean before turning right and stretching the legs on Col de l'Olive. This is the warm-up to the Col de la Madone, and we take in the Col d'Eze on the way back to Nice. Pace yourself as there are three bigger days ahead!
DISTANCE | 105KM | 65MI
ELEVATION | 2750M | 9000FT
DAY TWO WED 17 JUL | NICE TO ROQUEBILLIERE
Today we leave Nice for the French Martime Alps. Our route takes us north-east, up through Sospel and then onto the Turini Pass. Although used in the Tour de France from time to time, this highly engineering section of road is more famous for the Rally Monte Carlo. There may be some big climbs today, but there are also some brilliant descents.
DISTANCE | 90KM | 56mi
ELEVATIO | 3200M | 10500FT
DAY THREE THU 18 JUL | ROQUEBILLIERE TO CUNEO
Stunning route today from France into Italy via the Colle della Lombarda. Warm up on the solid climb to Col Saint-Martin. Then an almost 20KM descent before the ascent of the day. Allegedly the French side is not as beautiful as the Italian side, so the day only gets better once you summit around 2350M above sea level. Long downhill all the way to Cuneo, our next stop.
DISTANCE | 130KM | 81M
ELEVATION | 3250M | 10650FT
DAY FOUR FRI 19 JUL | CUNEO LOOP
The route begins deceptively flat but the elevation gradually builds until you are climbing the slopes towards Fauniera and the Colle Valcavera at a lofty 2,416M above sea level. The second half of the ride is downhill, for pretty much a glorious 50KM.
DISTANCE | 95KM | 59MI
ELEVATION | 2050M | 6700FT
DAY FIVE SAT 20 JUL | CUNEO TO BORMIO
A rest day! Transfer day from Cuneo to Bormio. After sitting in the van all morning, optional shake-out ride up Bormio 2000 or Lake Cancano in the afternoon.
DAY SIX SUN 21 JUL | STELVIO DAY!
A truly magnificent loop, with the challenge of riding all three sides of the Stelvio. Pace yourself up the ‘easier’ side from Bormio, and then slalom down the Umbrail Pass into Switzerland. A scenic, warp speed downhill to Glorenza, before we commence the deceptively, gentle start to this long legendary ascent. The bubbling stream and alpine pastures soon give way to the 48 hairpins that lead inexorably to the summit. Swoop back down to Bormio and soak in the thermal baths of this spa town.
DISTANCE | 102KM | 63MI
ELEVATION | 3200M | 10500FT
DAY SEVEN MON 22 JUL | EPIC LOOP
Keep it coming! Fantastic day in the saddle riding the legendary Passo Mortirolo and Passo Gavia. Nowhere to hide. Roll down the valley and up the infamous Mortirolo. Then on to Ponte di Legno and the magnificent southern ascent of the Gavia. The treat is the final brilliant descent into Bormio. Now you can put your feet up!
DISTANCE | 110KM | 68MI
ELEVATION | 2750M | 9000FT
DAY EIGHT TUE 23 JUL | BORMIO TO BELLAGIO
Today you transfer from Bormio to Bellagio. Predominately a downhill run all the way to Lake Como. Our trusty guide will leave you today but your accommodation is booked through to a departure on Saturday 27 July.
Farewell, until next time.
Ride safe Puntos!
DISTANCE | 140KM | 87MI
ELEVATION | 1100M | 3600FT